Florida Man Arrested For Pointing Flamethrower At Police

Credit: Port Saint Lucie Police Department 

PORT SAINT LUCIE, Florida - A Florida man was arrested after he allegedly pointed a flamethrower at police on Monday.

Port Saint Lucie Police officers responded to the 200 block of SW Kimball Circle for reports of an explosion followed by smoke in the neighborhood. 

Upon arrival, police say they were confronted in the roadway by 39-year-old Joseph Moreton who was armed with a handheld flamethrower. 

Officers ordered Moreton at gunpoint to drop the flamethrower as he approached them, but he refused and pointed the flamethrower at an officer. 

That officer was able to grab the flamethrower from the Florida man who then retreated back into his home. 

Credit: Port Saint Lucie Police Department

Officers surrounded the home and ordered Moreton to come out. A short while later, Morton appeared at his front door and allegedly tried to blind officers with a flashlight. At that point, several officers deployed their Tasers and took Moreton into custody without further incident. 

Credit: Port Saint Lucie Police Department

Once Moreton was medically cleared, he was transported to the St. Lucie County Jail where he is currently being held on a $5,500.00 bond for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Law Enforcement Officer and Resisting an Officer without Violence.